Kebbi wins 8 awards from Saudi Kingdom over excellent Hajj operations – By Usman Haruna

The awards are for best performance on sacrificial animals, (Hadaya), which Governor Nasir Idris shouldered the responsibility of off-setting the cost for 3,871Kebbi pilgrims who performed the Hajj this year, as well as smooth arrangement of Pilgrims’ stay at Mina camp, Arafat and Muzdalifah.

 

Other awards are on feeding during which all pilgrims from the state were fed well by the state government;

smooth transport arrangement; good accommodation; luggage handling; smooth screening of pilgrims at the Airport; adequate publicity and Kebbi being the first state from Nigeria to land its pilgrims in Madinah.

 

The Executive Chairman of the Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Faruq Aliyu Yaro, made this known at a luncheon organised for stakeholders in the conduct of the Pilgrimage, in Birnin Kebbi, this Wednesday, to round-off the 2025 Hajj operation.

 

“All these awards, honour and presentation of certificates of commendation, could not be possible without the desired support given to the Agency by Governor Nasir Idris”,

 

“Governor Idris was physically present among the pilgrims at Arafat during the Hajj, and together with his two wives, Hajiya Nasare and Hajiya Nafisa, gave financial support to each Kebbi pilgrim”,

 

“Another commendable aspect, is the rating of Kebbi Amirul Hajj and Head of Government Delegation, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammadu Mera, as the best performing Amirul Hajj, from Nigeria”,

 

“We are appealing to our amiable Governor to retain him and other members of the delegation for the next Hajj”, 

 

“We are assuring that the Pilgrims Agency will uphold the successes recorded which surpassed the previous Hajj exercises”,

 

The gathering here today is to show appreciation to all agencies and groups which participated in making the entire operation at home and in Saudi Arabia, smooth and beautiful”,

 

“The Agency thanks the Nigerian Army, Police, Civil Defence, Customs, Immigration, NAPTIP, Fire Service, HISBAH, Vigilantes, Religious Aid Groups, Media and others, for their invaluable contributions to our success”, Faruq remarked.

 

In a remark, the Amirul Hajj, Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammadu Mera, on behalf of other members, thanked Governor Nasir Idris for giving them the requisite support to carry out their mandate for a successful Hajj exercise.

 

“Kebbi pilgrims also deserve praise for being law abiding and supportive to the Committee, which facilitated smooth conduct of the operation both at home and in the Holy Land”, the Monarch said.

 

The Camp Leader responsible for pilgrims’ shuttle in buses provided by the government, from the Hajj camp to the airport, to-and-fro, Abubakar Labaran Magaji Arab, affirmed that the order given by the Chairman of the Agency, was strictly followed on the departure and arrival of pilgrims.

 

The head of a non governmental organisations, Altine Gudi, received special commendation and personal gift of N2 million from the Agency for maintaining clean environment at the Hajj camp round-the-clock.

 

Other groups including security agencies, also received gifts and monetary award for services rendered.